Native American Legends

The creation of Man-Kind

A Hopi Legend

Spider Woman (Kótyangwúti) next gathered four colors
of earth: white, black, yellow, and red, and, mixing them with tüchvala
molded them, then covered them with the white-substance cape that
was creative wisdom itself. As before, she sang over them the Creation
Song, and when she uncovered them these forms were human beings
in the image of Sótuknang.

Then, in the same manner, she created four other beings after her
own form. These were the wúti, the female partners of the
first four male beings.

When Spider Woman uncovered them the forms came to life. This was
at the time of the dark purple light, Qoyangnuptu, the first phase
of the dawn of Creation, which first reveals the mystery of man's
creation.

They soon awakened and began to move, but there was still a dampness
on their foreheads and a soft spot on their heads. This was at the
time of the yellow light, Síkangnuqua, the second phase of
the dawn of Creation, when the breath of life entered man.

In a short time, the sun appeared above the horizon, drying the
dampness on their foreheads and hardening the soft spot on their
heads. This was the time of the red light, Tálawva, the third
phase of the dawn of Creation, when man, fully formed and firmed,
proudly faced his Creator.

"That is the sun," said Spider Woman. "You are meeting
your Father the Creator for the first time. You must always remember
and observe these three phases of your Creation. The time of the
three lights: the dark purple, the yellow, and the red reveal in
turn the mystery, the breath of life, and the warmth of love. These
comprise the Creator's plan of life for you as sung over you in
the Song of Creation."